[Kipper is King]

Skiing is comparatively easier to start out with than snowboarding. I remember having an incredible amount of difficulty trying snowboarding for the first time, but I was elated when I tried skiing for the first time.

Super crappy rental equipment with old skis and rear entry boots with poor support can really hurt your impressions of the sport. Rent from a place that has decent stuff.

Also, don't use poles your first few times. You're only going to be skiing on a gentle slope anyways, you don't need them. For too many beginner skiers, poles are a huge distraction. They worry more about what their hands are doing with the poles, and not their feet.

Once you feel comfortable stopping and fluidly turning, then get poles.