re: How difficult is it to learn to snow ski?

Take a beginner group lesson. depending on how much up hill walking there is in the beginner area, you will feel sore muscles in your body that you never felt before. A magic carpet makes this much easier. Do the groups a few days and get comfortable and confident doing the sno plow on the greens.
However, once you can do parallel turns, or want to start, that is when a small group or private lesson is worth it. Then you can really feel comfortable on most slopes because you can control your descent.
It is worth the effort and expense in most people's minds and a new skill. Good luck and enjoy the experience and come back and tell us some of the funny stories that you will never forget