Wrangell residents Mike and Kimberly Ottesen plan to open Stikine Off-Road Rentals this week, offering utility-task vehicle (UTV) and side-by-side rentals to explore the island. The business will open as soon as its first vehicle arrives.

Mike Ottesen, 28, said he's been planning the venture for over a year, aiming to provide a unique way for locals and visitors to experience Wrangell.

"I wanted to bring something unique to town for people who don't have access to these kinds of machines," Ottesen said. "The whole point is to offer multiple ways for people to explore the island."

Ottesen, a former fishing guide and current jet boat operator for Alaska Vistas, will start with one 2025 Can-Am Defender HD-10 Limited Max. This street-legal, four-door UTV can seat up to six passengers and features a fully enclosed cab with power windows and a full heating and air conditioning system.

"It's basically just a small truck," Ottesen noted. "They're pretty much all mini-trucks these days."

Stikine Off-Road Rentals will offer daily, weekly or monthly rental options. Rates posted on Monday, June 9, showed $225 for a one-day rental and $1,200 for a week.

The business will also provide delivery and pickup services for renters to locations such as the airport, ferry terminal, harbors or local accommodations. Add-ons like fishing gear and camp chairs will also be available.

"This is all kind of an experimental phase to see how the community responds to it," Ottesen said. "We'll just have to see how things go before we decide to expand."

More information at www.stikineoffroadrentals.com.