This is a related cool thing, because it was someone's dream job they made happen. Its a folk traditions school/retreat in Northern MN -
North House Folk School - year round camp for grownups. Here's a class on birch ski making coming in January for you Griff:
Traditional Birch Ski Making: Beginner Students will build a pair of birch skis to fit their size, weight and intended use. The course covers discussion on wood grain, bending wood, types of bindings and information related to use and handling of these ancient tools of transportation. Mark,the instructor, learned to make skis from Marvin Salo, whose father was a master ski maker trained in the old Sami school of ski construction. His father's advice was "if you understand the wood the wood will work for you." This course will unlock the secrets of ski construction that are thousands of years old.
They have lots of other woodworking, tons of fiberstuff- including nordic knitting which I really love, and dogwood baskets for Wolf! Roadtrip!