What Happened to Steph Custance? Biography, Age, Ice Road Truckers Journey, and Life After the Show

History Channel’s reality series Ice Road Truckers introduced audiences to the perilous world of hauling freight across frozen lakes and remote northern highways. Among its cast of seasoned veterans, Stephanie “Steph” Custance stood out when she joined in Season 10 as the youngest driver in the show’s history. She was just 22 years old—a single mother with less than a year of professional driving experience—when she was given the chance to prove herself on one of the most dangerous jobs in trucking. Her journey from rookie to capable driver became one of the standout storylines of the series. But what happened to Steph Custance after Ice Road Truckers? Her story beyond the show is just as compelling—and the chapters that followed reveal how she balanced trucking, family, and personal growth in the years after her television debut.

Early Life and Background

Steph Custance was born in October 11, 1994 and grew up in Canada. She was raised by her mother, Pamela June Custance, who carried the responsibility of providing for three children on her own. In a heartfelt birthday tribute shared online, Steph thanked her mother for “the efforts you put in on sleepless nights raising 3 kids on your own,” recognizing the sacrifices made during her upbringing.

Her childhood was modest yet imaginative. She remembered her mother building rope play structures in their yard that even the neighborhood children preferred over store‑bought swings, and weekends filled with camping and fishing. One formative memory was being caught playing with matches and being coached into telling the truth—a moment Steph said taught her the true meaning of integrity, a value she still carries.

Her reflections also reveal a balance of wonder and practicality. She recalled her mother teaching her to sit quietly on the lawn and listen to the world around her—reminding her, “if you pay enough attention, you’ll see the plants and trees grow.” At the same time, she learned hands‑on skills: how to bang a fuel pump with a hammer for a few extra miles, improvise with pantyhose for a broken belt, or diagnose vehicle issues simply by listening.

Despite difficulties, including her mother’s struggles with mental health, these experiences gave Steph a strong sense of resilience and independence. She also emphasized the crucial role of her godmother, writing that she had “done more than what was required as a godmother and I’ve flourished from it.” Together, these influences created the foundation for her determination both on and off the ice roads.

Ice Road Truckers Debut (Season 10)

Steph Custance made her television debut in Ice Road Truckers Season 10 (2016) when Mark Kohaykewych brought her onto the Polar Industries team. At just 22 years old, she had less than a year of commercial trucking experience and no background on frozen roads. This made her the youngest driver in the show’s history and placed her in one of the most challenging environments in the trucking industry. In the premiere episode “Against All Odds,” the drivers were warned that it would be one of the shortest and warmest winters on record, meaning thinner ice and greater danger with every haul. Under Kohaykewych’s watchful eye, and with mentorship from veterans like Todd Dewey, she began learning the ropes quickly.

Just a few episodes in, Steph faced her first major test: a solo ice crossing that became one of the season’s longest and riskiest runs. Shown in Episode 7 (“Into the Fire”), this moment was a turning point. She overcame breakdowns, near whiteouts, and fragile ice to complete the delivery, proving to her boss, fellow truckers, and herself that she had the grit to succeed in one of the toughest jobs in the world.

On November 12, 2016, after wrapping her rookie season, Steph took to Facebook to reflect on the experience. In her own words, it was “an amazing season and opportunity,” and she highlighted Lisa Kelly as “an inspiration to the woman out there including myself.” This glimpse into her reflections not only underscored her gratitude but also showed fans how deeply the experience had shaped her outlook as a young driver.

A Confident Return in Season 11

By the time Season 11 premiered in August 2017, Steph had transformed from a nervous rookie into a confident, determined driver. She continued running for Polar Enterprises alongside veterans like Alex Debogorski, Todd Dewey, Art Burke, and Lisa Kelly. The season again brought brutal storms and mechanical setbacks, but she handled them with far more assurance than before.

One standout storyline came when Steph’s truck became stuck in a snowbank, forcing Lisa Kelly to cut her free with a chainsaw—an unforgettable example of camaraderie on the ice. In another run, the two faced a frightening mechanical issue when smoke filled Lisa’s cab due to a faulty fuse, and together they worked through the scare. Coming in the shadow of Darrell Ward’s tragic passing, Steph’s resilience and growth brought hope and continuity to the final season.

By the time Season 11 premiered in August 2017, Steph had transformed from a nervous rookie into a confident, determined driver. She continued running for Polar Enterprises alongside veterans like Alex Debogorski, Todd Dewey, Art Burke, and Lisa Kelly. The season again brought brutal storms and mechanical setbacks, but she handled them with far more assurance than before.

One standout storyline came when Steph’s truck became stuck in a snowbank, forcing Lisa Kelly to cut her free with a chainsaw—an unforgettable example of camaraderie on the ice. In another run, the two faced a frightening mechanical issue when smoke filled Lisa’s cab due to a faulty fuse, and together they worked through the scare. Coming in the shadow of Darrell Ward’s tragic passing, Steph’s resilience and growth brought hope and continuity to the final season.

Life After Ice Road Truckers

After the show ended, Steph shifted gears. She stepped back from the grind of long-haul trucking to focus on raising her son. In an October 2017 update, she joked that fans were probably wondering where she had been, explaining that she had been “up North, down East and all over Canada really,” celebrating her birthday in the truck, fishing, and making new friends.

By August 2018, she and her son had relocated to the West Coast of British Columbia. In her own words, “I’m no longer hauling logs down east… instead I now haul hazardous materials for a kick ass new company.” Around the same time, she began emphasizing her priorities as a single mom. In a heartfelt October 2018 post she laid out her daily routine—waking at 4:30 a.m. to make her son Carter’s lunch, working until evening, then grabbing him from relatives, making dinner, and ending the day with small moments of fun. “Everything I got is going into sobriety. Parenting. Working. Living and making memories. This move hasn’t been easy but it’s been the best thing for us,” she wrote, giving fans a raw look at her balancing act between motherhood and work.

By July 2019, she was still cherishing her bond with her son, sharing photos of their “lunch date” and explaining that she wanted to teach him how a man should treat a woman. These candid glimpses into her life showed a woman determined to provide stability while still carrying the grit and humor fans had come to know on the ice.

But trucking was never far from her heart. By late 2019, Steph was back on the road, sharing reflections online that mixed humor, grit, and the kind of inside jokes only fellow truckers could fully appreciate. Her posts read like love letters to the road—equal parts exhaustion and exhilaration.

A Glimpse Into Her World

In 2020, Steph let fans see more of her personal side. In January of that year she proudly celebrated her son’s school in Stonewall, Manitoba, winning the Jets Town Takeover competition, thanking family and fans for their support. Later, in September 2020, she shared a lighter moment from Gimli, Manitoba, where she joined relatives at a buskers’ event. “It’s not a trucking post but it’s what I got up to today,” she wrote, describing how she sang a few songs, helped raffle off a Gibson’s guitar for charity, and enjoyed ice cream with her family. These glimpses showed that beyond the road, she was embracing community, music, and family life.

Her online presence became a mix of road stories, family milestones, and personal passions—proof that life after Ice Road Truckers could still be an adventure. In October 2020, she excitedly announced a 2021 calendar project, noting it would be a “MUST have for your shop wall.” Around the same time, she also used her platform to amplify community appeals, such as encouraging help along Highway #6 in Manitoba during a search for a missing person. And in December 2020, she shared an empowering message about self-image and authenticity, writing to her followers that there is “NO BAR to hold yourself to” and reminding them that “nothing shines brighter than a human in all their existence.”

By August 2023, Steph posted about conquering her fear of the ocean while spending time on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. She described paddleboarding, swimming at sunset, volunteering at an organic farm, and even close encounters with wildlife such as owls and bears. “At the end of this week I feel more rested and peaceful than I have in a long time,” she wrote, calling herself “truly a country girl at heart.” These posts highlighted her commitment not only to trucking but also to community, creativity, and embracing new adventures.

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A post shared by Stephanie Custance (@back40_barbie)

Her more recent posts in 2025 have given fans another glimpse into her day-to-day life. In July, she was spotted enjoying karaoke at a local Irish pub in Chilliwack, British Columbia, showing her love of music and performance. A few weeks later, in August, she shared updates from Vancouver Island, where she has been spending time farming, gardening, and enjoying a quieter pace.

Where Is Steph Custance Now?

Now 31 years old, Stephanie Custance is alive, thriving, and still balancing life on and off the road. In recent years, she has also focused on personal milestones outside of trucking. In June 2024, she proudly celebrated graduating with her Manitoba Adult High School Diploma, marking an achievement that highlighted her determination to keep growing and setting an example for her son.

She remains connected to the trucking industry, while also carving out time for family, music, and community in Manitoba and British Columbia. Her journey from rookie to respected driver continues to inspire fans who watched her first tentative steps on Season 10.

Bridging her on‑screen legacy with her current life, she is still recognized as the youngest driver in Ice Road Truckers history, debuting at age 22. Across two seasons she balanced the steep learning curve of ice road trucking with raising her son as a single parent. This combination of professional growth and personal responsibility ensured she left a lasting mark on the series while continuing to build a life beyond the ice roads.

Steph Custance Wiki/Bio Facts

Full Name	Stephanie Custance
Date of Birth	October 11, 1994
Age	31 (as of 2025)
Birthplace	Canada
Nationality	Canadian
Ethnicity	White
Mother	Pamela June Custance
Children	One son, Carter
Occupation	Trucker, Reality TV Personality
Known For	Youngest driver on Ice Road Truckers (Seasons 10–11)
IRT Debut	Season 10 (2016) at age 22
Last Season	Season 11 (2017)
Post-Show Life	Returned to trucking, raised her son, pursued music and community work, graduated with Manitoba Adult High School Diploma in June 2024
Current Status (2025)	Alive, based in Manitoba and British Columbia, active in trucking and community