What about trying dry slopes to learn the basics
of skiing before you go on holiday?
Most dry ski slopes offer courses for beginners, ranging from a few hours
of introduction, to a series of intensive courses. Although the material
usually used to make dry slopes (Dendix) is different from snow, it certainly
gives one an idea of what skiing is all about. It is also a bit more difficult
to ski on dry slopes, making the first runs on real snow seem much easier...