I've been rollerblading for like 8 or 9 years, started that way before skiing park. The two are slightly similar, but I guess the relationship between skiing and skating varies with people. It's fun, and you don't need to skate just because it might make you a better skier, skate to skate, not to learn new aspects of skiing. I'm not saying you won't though, because you will.
And for skates, obviously everyone would recommend something they have or have used, see if you can try some on and see what you like.
Check aggressivemall.com, rollerwarehouse.com, and rollernews.com for more Rollerblade related stuff.