aight, while I do agree that skiing is expensive let me just elaborate on my point haha
my hockey skates alone, cost as much as my ski setup. a cheap hockey stick is 50 bucks (that's super fucking cheap), and you would preferrably have two, one as a backup. then there is all the other equipment that can amount to hundreds. I have sub-par gear with the exception of my skates and sticks, and all of it together cost around 1500 bucks. call me a spoiled bitch but thats about the average total cost of a hockey set up.
lacrosse, a high end stick costs about 200 not counting a string job. helmets go up to 150, cleats up to 140.
high end soccer cleats are 250 bucks.
I've played many different sports, and honestly you can find the best deals on ski stuff than on any other sports equipment.
of course if you went all out and bought top of the line ski stuff brand new from your nearest ski store, the prices would be through the roof over probably any other sport, but then again, why do that when you can save?
