The Swiss winter puts swimming pools to the test: frost, snow, dead leaves and temperature variations can damage your pool and make it difficult to put it back into service in the spring. A winter pool cover in Geneva and Vaud is the ideal solution for protecting your pool during the cold season.
At Astro Piscines, we sell and install APF Pool Design filtering winterizing covers – safety covers that comply with the NF P90-308 standard. Our technicians are on hand throughout the Lake Geneva region to winterize your pool completely.
Why install a winter cover on your pool?
Swiss weather protection
Geneva and Vaud winters are harsh. Between snowfall, repeated freezing and the accumulation of dead leaves, your open-air pool is constantly under attack. A filtering winter cover forms a protective barrier that :
- Prevents debris (leaves, branches, dust) from polluting the water
- Protects pond liner from winter UV rays
- Reduces evaporation and keeps water levels stable
Ease back into service in spring
A pool that’s well protected over the winter is back in service much more quickly. You avoid hours of intensive cleaning, repeated shock treatments and unpleasant surprises (green water, encrusted deposits). The result: your pool is ready for the first swims as soon as the sun comes out.
Preserving the quality of water and equipment
By limiting the input of organic matter and maintaining the water’s chemical balance, winterizing reduces the consumption of treatment products. Your equipment (pump, filter, skimmers) is also protected from frost damage thanks to complete winterization.
Our APF Pool Design filtering winter covers
We have selected APF Pool Design winter covers for their French manufacturing quality and compliance with European safety standards. Two models are available: Tignes Safe and Megève Safe.
Tignes Safe: the reinforced solution
The Tignes Safe model is our top-of-the-range winter cover. Its webbing grid offers maximum strength and optimum load distribution. Ideal for large pools or areas with heavy snowfall.
- Strap grid every 75 cm
- 55 cm PVC reinforcement around the perimeter
- 55 cm crystal reinforcement on curbstone
- Fastened with stainless steel P-pegs and stainless steel springs
- Complies with NF P90-308 standard
Megève Safe: the best value for money
The Megève Safe model offers equivalent protection with a transverse strap system. It’s the ideal choice for standard-sized pools, with excellent value for money.
- Cross straps every 75 cm
- 55 cm PVC reinforcement around the perimeter
- 55 cm crystal reinforcement on curbstone
- Fastened with stainless steel P-pegs and stainless steel springs
- Complies with NF P90-308 standard
Tignes Safe vs Megève Safe comparison
| Features | Tignes Safe | Megève Safe |
| Finish | Webbing checkerboard | Cross straps |
| Reinforcement | PVC edge + crystal coping | PVC edge + crystal coping |
| Mounting | Pitons P inox + stainless steel springs | Pitons P stainless steel + stainless steel springs |
| Max. dimensions | 12 × 6 m | 12 × 6 m |
| Colors | Green, Blue, Grey, Sand | Green, Blue, Grey, Sand |
| Warranty | 3 declining seasons | 3 declining seasons |
| Safety standard | NF P90-308 | NF P90-308 |
Material: 150 g/m² woven polypropylene mesh, anti-UV and anti-cryptogamic treated. The filtering mesh allows rainwater to pass through while retaining leaves, debris and snow.
Installation and winterization by Astro Piscines
Our complete winterization service
Our technicians carry out the complete winterization of your pool, including :
- Pool and waterline cleaning
- Lower water level under skimmers
- Freeze protection for pipes and equipment room
- Fitting winter floats
- Installation of the filter cover with hooks and springs
- Water treatment with winterizing agent
This service is part of our pool maintenance contracts, available in Basic, Standard or Premium formulas.
Operating areas: Geneva, Nyon, Lausanne and the whole canton of Vaud
Our teams operate throughout the Lake Geneva region:
- Canton of Geneva: Geneva, Versoix, Meyrin, Carouge, Thônex, Chêne-Bougeries, Collonge-Bellerive, Cologny, Vandœuvres
- La Côte: Nyon, Gland, Rolle, Morges, Aubonne, Coppet, Founex, Tannay
- Canton of Vaud: Lausanne, Pully, Lutry, Vevey, Montreux, Aigle, Yverdon
Care and maintenance for your winter cover
Before winter: essential gestures
- Wait for water temperature to drop below 12°C
- Complete pool cleaning (walls, bottom, water line)
- Balance pH between 7.0 and 7.4
- Apply a shock treatment before laying the tarpaulin
- Check the condition of pitons and springs
During winter: surveillance and precautions
- Regularly check tarpaulin tension and fastener condition
- Remove excessive snow or leaf accumulation
- Check the water level (to prevent it sinking below the skimmers)
- In the event of prolonged freezing: leave filtration running for 2-4h/day at dawn.
Spring: tidying and storage
- Clean the tarpaulin with a hose before removing it.
- Allow to dry completely before folding
- Store in a dry place, away from rodents and direct sunlight.
- Check the condition of straps, springs and pitons before storing.
Accessories for winter cover
To complete your winter cover, find all the accessories you need in our online store aquastore.ch :
- Stainless steel hooks and springs – sturdy, durable fastening
- Water bladders – peripheral ballasting against the wind
- Ballasted floats – protection against ice pressure
- Gizzmo – frost protection for skimmers
- Wintering plugs – sealing nozzles and brush intakes
- Winterizing products – Preventive anti-algae and anti-scale treatment
READY TO PROTECT YOUR POOL FOR THE WINTER?
Our experts come to Geneva and Vaud free of charge to study your project. Benefit from personalized advice and a customized estimate for the sale and installation of your winter cover.
Call us on 0842 520 520 or request a quote online.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about swimming pool winter covers
What’s the difference between an opaque tarpaulin and a filtering tarpaulin?
The filtering cover (like our Tignes and Megève models) lets rainwater through thanks to its technical mesh, avoiding pockets of stagnant water on the cover. An opaque cover, on the other hand, blocks all light but requires a pump to evacuate the accumulated water. In Switzerland, where winter precipitation is frequent, filter covers are generally recommended.
Is a winter cover compulsory in Switzerland?
There is no federal legal obligation, but the cantons of Geneva and Vaud strongly recommend securing private pools to prevent the risk of drowning. Our APF filter covers comply with standard NF P90-308: they can support the weight of an adult (100 kg) and prevent accidental falls. Warning: a safety blanket never replaces adult vigilance.
Can I install a winter cover on any pool?
Tignes Safe and Megève Safe covers are suitable for standard in-ground pools up to 12 × 6 m. They are not compatible with overflow, mirror, above-ground or semi-sunken pools, or with raised coping. For these specific configurations, please contact us for a customized solution.
How long does a winter cover last?
With proper maintenance (cleaning after each season, complete drying before storage, sheltered storage), an APF tarpaulin filter generally lasts 5 to 10 seasons. The manufacturer’s warranty is for 3 degressive seasons (100% the 1st year, 66% the 2nd, 33% the 3rd).
When should the winter cover be installed?
Winterizing should be carried out when the water temperature steadily falls below 12°C (generally between mid-October and mid-November in the Lake Geneva region). Placing the cover too early encourages algae growth, while placing it too late exposes the pool to the first unprotected frosts.