We purchased and 18' round above ground pool for the grands and found that we have no area that is level enough; (bad experience taught us) so we need to build up so that pool will sit level enough which by reading I understand there should be no more than a 2" difference, and we are thinking about using sand. The pool had a liner that goes on the ground before the pool and extends 1 to 2 ' all around. We live in the mountains so there's not much really level, so we are thinking about sand. I read the previous answer and that's what we were thinking. Just wanted some more opinions, we need about 6 to 8 " to get the pool level enough. I also read some articles about putting down foam from a building contractor over the packed sand then putting down the cover then the pool. We don't want to dig up the yard, because we plan on taking the pool down in the winter. I (Nana) had this big idea to get them out of the house away from TV and computer screen and reading and fighting and it has been so dry and hot this was the solution which has now become a problem with disappointed girls. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks.

You could use paver base, which is crushed stone with the dust included. But you will need to shovel some dirt over it to avoid any sharp edges. Sand will shift around too much when you walk on the bottom of the pool.

Thanks,we purchased 5 yards of yellow sand today and put it down; had to build about 8 inches on one side; this is a kind of sand that was recommended by the concrete place where we got it; so I guess we will see; right now the pool is filling and the water is over the entire pool; slightly deeper in a few spots but looks like it will be OK. Now we've got to figure out how to make the sand stay in place around it.

Too late now but this is what you should have done, if you do not want to dig down the flatten the area, this is the correct method. Build yourself a large sand box. Level the edges and skreet limestone screening into the box.