If you've never skied or snowboarded before, then it makes sense that you wouldn't want to commit a lot of money to a brand-new hobby (even if we're confident you'll fall in love with it!). And naturally, some resorts and countries are more cost-effective than others.
For example, in Andorra and Bulgaria, the ski pass and equipment hire is a lot cheaper. You'll also find that you can get a lot more value for money with the accommodation as well. The icing on the cake is that you can find smaller and quieter resorts or those in cheaper countries such as Andorra and Bulgaria, which are cheaper for things like food, drink and evening activities, meaning you won't break the bank enjoying yourself post-skiing.
And finally - you can also choose to go on a smaller-length trip as a taster to snow holidays, rather than forking out for a full week on the slopes. This gives you the time to fall in love with it but at a much lower cost than a full week's holiday.