There is a good chance they are not. They make very slow headway and frequent stops. Two things that separate this sort of trudging from enjoyable skiing are dress and the use of the ski poles. Not only are they becoming physically uncomfortable, the sheer bulkiness of their dress limits their movement and adds to the frustration. Dressing in multiple layers of thin breathable and wickable materials with zippers and buttons allows for the evacuation of heat and sweat from the torso.
Layers are much more comfortable and permit easier arm movement.
There is an oft-mistaken notion that poles provide one's primary means of propulsion. To some extent they do. A skier's legs and hips combined with the alternate forward thrust of the arms and poles provide forward movement. Otherwise the poles are better used to maintain balance. This is a quick and easy way to learn the motions used in skiing.