Your budget is super tight....
I use a JVC Camcorder with a hard disk drive. Is pretty good quality but records in a specific format that only I movie and Cyberlink dvd editor can work with.
I am happy with that because I have both programs but those who don't will struggle. I really like the useability of a HDD camcorder, it works though so worth considering maybe a canon or sony model.
you will need a good pc too though, macbook is best, I am getting one soon once I get £££££s. Imovie comes on them but you can upgrade for like $200 to Apples answer to seriously good editing software. Video editing uses up a huge amount of resource on your PC/Mac so close other programs if you have an out dated one.
start with imovie before you upgrade to bigger and better programs because they will be harder to use, and see how you get on.
Watch movies and see what it is that makes them good. Don't do stupid cuts between shots (only a direct cut or a fade unless you really know what you are doing) and don't let a shot last for more than 5 or so seconds usually. Obviously there are exceptions.
You should really get a tripod too, footage looks so much better when you do and is soooo noticable.
When recording footage, record anything that takes your eye, random quick shots thrown in the mix make good edits.
When you buy a camcorder, make sure you can have some control over things like Focus and frame rate, buy a couple of batteries (run out quick in the snow/cold).
I mixed up my budget a bit and got one of those oregon scientific helmet cams too. They are okay, quality isn't great but it's not always about quality, particularly in your first edits that you do. People will be more impressed by the footage you actually get and the quality of how you edit it.
You pick up tips pretty quick just through experimentation. Once you actually start making edits you see other ski films differently. You end up thinking "how did they do that" and then you work it out and do it yourself!!
Eventually you can start making your own ideas and bam you are a pro film artist!!
Hope all the above helps, sorry it's a bit of a mismatch!
