Would the device help people learn to surf?
I used to attend a conference at Alta, UT (ski resort, next to some of the others, like Snowbird). It was ridiculously expensive (work paid for it), but very nice. Even if you didn't stay there, I think you could pay to use the hot tub at Alta.
It would have been way cheaper to stay in Salt Lake City, and drive up daily, though there are days when driving isn't a great idea. There may be buses from the city.
If you are hard core, the people at Alta mentioned there was a campgrounds nearby that was open in the winter. To understand how hard core, sometimes the snow from a (deliberately triggered) avalanche completely covers the parking garage.
Don't be intimidated by high mountains. Almost any ski resort, including Alta and Snowbird, has bunny slopes that you can learn on just fine. The main thing is balance and edging - which you already know. Because I had skated, I learned to skate uphill and downhill, forwards and backwards, and spin (all easiest on short skis), in an hour's private lesson. (But I had already done basic XC and downhill bunny slopes, and took a private lesson from someone who knew how.)
It's a good idea to rent a vehicle with serious snow tires, good ground clearance, AWD, emergency chains and a shovel - the signs on the road to Snowbird/Alta said they were legally required. Last time (many years ago) the airport rental agency gave me a very low sports car with no traction, and nothing in the trunk.
You don't need an expensive Utah or Colorado resort, or any place with lifts. I think inexpensive cross country skiing is more like basic skating.