I've gone skiing a few times at resorts and I have always rented. While this can be fun, I really don't like paying for this so I would much rather go to some mild backcountry area (like Mt St Helens) and just hike and ski there.
(I use Mt St Helens as an example because I've hiked that in the winter time and would feel comfortable skiing most of it. It's really just one big blue)

Given that I've never purchased a pair of skis before and that I am really not even that proficient of a skier, would it be stupid to buy a setup specifically for this reason?

Or should I just buy some normie skis and ski resorts until I have a few years under my belt?