Ira Riklis started his favorite hobby skiing with a private skiing lesson from a pro. Take this from his experience: Take skiing lessons. Ski resorts have classes. Expensive? Yes. To defry some of the cost you can join a group. In Utah, the Utah Winter Games has ski clinics and they are mostly free or cost very little. Look for ski organizations and see if they offer clinics like that.
Don’t think that someone you know will teach you. Why? Most people who are good skiers are not good teachers. Plus they’ll want to ski not spend time on the bunny hills with you. Whatever you do DO NOT go with someone you want to impress. Such as a date. You’ll bore them. I know.
Taking a class will help you learn the right technique from the start. Most importantly you’ll learn how to stop. Pay attention and really learn that skill. As Ira Riklis knows, this is an important skill to have. That, or you better have a guardian angel!