my kids ski at hillend every week on the dry slope - its actually very good once you get used to it. teaches you good technique. get one to one or small group lessons i would say. one to one is going to be more expensive thats the only thing but to start with probably worthwhile.
I also learned at Glenshee - used to go every week as a boy when the snow was good. and the snow used to be very good. I remember the drifts being higher than the minibus on the way up the road.
fitness wise you should be ok - it'll be your legs that get it mainly, obviously, if you are generally quite active - you will take a few bumps and bruises as you learn (not as many as with snow boarding though) but one thing with skiing, once you get half good at it, it can be quite a lazy sport. you can fly down the hill with minimal effort. just depends how much you want to push yourself.