There isn't much snow here either. But enough to learn on. I recommend lessons. This will cost money, but get you moving faster than any messing about by yourself.
If you go somewhere like Flumserberg you can hire a ski instructor by the hour or join a class. Probably best to arrange this by phone first. See: www.flumserberg.ch/sssf/en/home/default.htm

Snowboard or Ski? Snowboarding is easier to learn, but in the long term far less satisfying than skiing and far less useful due to having to walk (or hop) a lot. IMO snowboarding has more to do with fashion and lifestyle than a fun, beautiful way of travelling over snow.