Just about everything that a fellow kiter tells you about the dangers of learning snowkiting on your own is true -even when they admit they figured it out on their own without lessons.
On top of that, taking lessons doesn't mean you wont get hurt. I know one, and have heard of many more instructors that have a hard time getting used to the fact that once or twice a season, they have to get medical attention for a paying student who was hurt during their lesson. It seems to be the 2nd most cited reason for giving up being an instructor, just behind the monetary cost vs compensation.
Personally, I gave a father trainer kite lessons and explained multiple times about the dangers of a lighter weight person using a trainer kite in higher winds. He then purchased the same sized trainer kite, took his son out on a day that turned out to be windier than forecasted, and got his son hurt by letting him fly it in winds that the father was getting dragged around at twice the weight of his son, in.
In one other incident, I assisted with student of another teacher. 6 months later, that kiter got lofted while under the supervision of the other teacher, and hurt pretty bad.
Given these common experiences, it is easy (and justified) for us current kiters to give the default recommendation for lessons in the OP's situation. But just for arguements sake, what would it actually take to be safe in learning on your own? My best guess on that is that it takes a minimum of these 3 things:
1. A slightly above average level of intelligence and drive to "learn" via others mistakes to avoid making your own.
2. A high level of conscientiousness and attention to detail, along with an overriding commitment to safety above all.
3. A realistically in check ego that allows you to "go for it" when safe, but pass on it when not, no matter who is watching and no matter how hard you want to show off.
In my self taught experience, I can only honestly claim to have a handle on number 2. My high level in this area has saved me on a number of occasions. But it has not been enough to make up for my lacking in the other areas. I still have been hurt trying to show off, or just when doing something easily avoided with a bit more careful thought. Luckily, none of my injuries have stopped me from being able to kite for more than a few weeks (edit: one of my two landboard injuries was almost 2 months of no kiting - due to me trying to show off my new 12m's jumping capabilities).
But here is the caveat - after lessons, you are on your own anyway. And you still have the potential for your lacking in the above areas to get you hurt. On top of all of this, what are the chances you get a good instructor who takes the time to truly teach you all of the safety considerations you will need?
My advice:
Be your own instructor, AND take professional lessons.
Do this by buying a trainer kite and being safe with it. Get to the point where you can do multiple loops, keep it flying in extremely light winds, and keep it flying above you with one hand while sending a text with the other. Then take professional lessons with full sized kites at a good safe location with a highly recommended instructor.
After you have had some success under a good instructor, then you go back to teaching yourself. That is where I currently am at.