Is snow less likely to appear at a coastal area?
I don't know if someone has conducted statistical research on this. It certainly depends on the situation. Here are some situations:
More snow in coast

Like @gerrit commented, elevation increases precipitation as air is forced to lift up and thus cools condensing water vapor -&gt; rain/snow. This is true when predominant winds are from the sea.

Lake-effect snow situations


Less snow in coast

The air temperatures are affected by nearby bodies of water so situations where temperatures are freezing, but the sea isn't frozen yet will keep the coastal temperatures higher. Thus melting falling and fallen snow faster than in inland.