Sidecountry Sports & Maine Sport in the Rockland/Camden area

Google "seasonal ski rental". There are a few places in the Portland area I know of, and I'm sure somewhere closer as well.

Just an FYI they will likely want your little one to try the boots on in store to make sure they fit, so it might ruin the surprise a bit.

Check for the Camden Hills HS ski sale. It’s bonkers and a kind of swap where (rich) parents donate last years skis and everyone moves up a size. It’s a one day mad house where people line up early, but you can get stupid good deals. Im not sure which weekend but it is soon. You can equip a kid for pennies on the dollar. It benefits the Camden skit team. Seriously, this is exactly what you are looking for!

We started ours on the kind that just strap onto their normal winter boots. Cheap way to get them used to big sticks on the feet and shuffle about

We did it for my daughter a few years ago through a ski shop in Scarborough. Many places offer great deals for kid sized gear for the whole season. I'd suggest contacting any ski shops in your area and ask. I'm betting several of them do.

If not it would be worth coming down to Freeport to Portland area and there are a few that don't there.

I think we had to buy the helmet as that's too much liability for them. Otherwise they had boots and skis for a great deal. I don't think young kids they do poles now by default but obviously you could on your own if you want.

Also don't forget to look for any local ski swaps. I've seen a bunch of signs for those in my area all coming up soon.

I’d look into leasing programs. I just heard about it this year as opposed to rentals and seems like it’s better if you’re getting out more often