GH4 & DSLR Questions

I've been filming season edits for about 5 years now as a hobby and recently have gotten tired/frustrated using my gopro 4 black. I've done some research on DLSRs but I have no prior experience using one. After reading reviews and posts in this forum I'm leaning toward a GH4. I'll answer all questions from the WHAT CAMERA thread, hopefully you guys can help me out.

1) What is your budget? How much money can you spend right away, and do you think you can get more money to invest in the future?
- I'd like to keep it under $1500 for the body, then I expect a few hundred more for a lens

2) What experience do you already have with cameras? Have you ever even used one before? Have you helped your friend out with his camera? Have you owned your own?
- Been filming on a GoPro for 5 years and took a photography class back in college. I've taken a few pictures with a friends DSLR but no extensive use or video

3) What gear, if any, do you currently have? (tripod, old camera lenses, mics, etc)
- None

4) What are you planning to shoot and how do you want to use your camera? Are you going to use this with the sole purpose of shooting skiing? or do you think you might try other stuff as well (movies, documentaries, short films, etc)
- I'm hoping for 75% skiing footage. I'd like to try some park follow cams and also some backcountry, possibly with a tripod + lens with decent zoom? Also camping/hiking/exploring.. that type of thing. I don't foresee shooting any interviews/documentary style video.

5) Do you want a camera that you can hand to your friends, that could or could not have film experience, and let them shoot you? or will you be doing all the filming?
- Take turns shooting between myself and a few friends

6) When filming skiing, how do you tend to shoot? (follow cams, leave it on record on a tripod and hike, film from a tripod, etc)
- Usually follow cam

7) What computer do you currently have/use to edit (if not currently editing, what would you most likely use)? If you can provide specifics, such as hard drive space, RAM, processor size, that would be great.
- Win 7, 16MB, i7, GTX 760, 2x 2TB external drives

8) What program do you currently edit on? How familiar are you with it (1- just learning; 10- I can make tutorials and know the keyboard layout)
- Adobe Premiere CC (7 familiarity)

9) Do you think you might consider using a DSLR?
- Yes

10) Do you have any knowledge about the HDSLRS?
- No

11) Do you know the limitations to using HDSLRS?
- No

12) Are you willing to take the time to learn about a DSLR, and how to shoot with manual lenses?
- Yes

13) Again, do you want a camera that you can hand to your friends, that could or could not have film experience, and let them shoot you? or will you be doing all the filming?
- Would prefer to hand off to friends but it doesn't have to be idiot proof

*** Questions of my own

1) Is the GH4 the right camera for me?

2) Will I need anything like a polyurethane cover or protective case for the body if I follow cam?

3) What lens is best to get first? Do you have a favorite GH4 lens you could recommend?

3) I watched some AF comparison videos of a 80D and it got me wondering.. How important is auto-focus? Is it crucial when filming fast motion? Will the GH4 AF be enough for follow cam? or do you continually adjust the focus manually while riding?

4) Will I need a glidecam to get a smooth follow-cam or are those days gone? Are there other/better stabilizers or is that not even needed?

5) Whats your typical day like shooting with a DSLR at your local resort? Do you wear a backpack and put it away every run? Do you film a few laps then bring it back to the car? Do you post up with a tripod/beers/piffs and not move all day?

Thanks fam