There are lots of great books and videos on learning to ski. Warren Miller has one such video that will have you lauging and relaxing. I found it in a video store in Santa Cruz, CA for advanced skiers, tips. But, he has a beginning video. Also, taking a lesson as a firsttimer has been researched to directly correlate with lower injury rates. Also, keeping yourself fed, and off of alcohol those first few times (years) helps. Typical injuries can be avoided with well researched techniques. It is worth it to check out the Vermont Ski Safety website. I hope you find in it what so many of us have.
I was hooked on snow and mountains as a child living in Colorado with a sled prior to kindergarten. So, it was a natural progression to ski. Having said that I was just in the mountains today with a friend enjoying the August day hiking! For me as Admin said, it is more than a sport, it is a tribe or lifestyle that involves so many things.
Today I made it from Mt. Waterman to Mulholland Drive in 1.4 hours which made me happy. Father used to drive us there in about that amount of time, like a bat from H......! He had stopped skiing, but, evidently liked to go to the mountains with the car loaded with neighbor kids and his own! I so enjoyed showing my friend the trail today even without the snow and skiing!
Enjoy Utah! Kudos for the courage to ski!