What is the BEST snowboard in the world? Is there any consensus?

No, if for no other reason than different boards are designed for different
purposes... and for different types of riders... My favorite board in the
world at the moment happens to be a race board that 99.5% of the
snowboarding population would hate.

What is the best snowboard brand?

See above... different brands have different characterstics that might make
their whole line better for some, worse for others...

What is the hippest snowboard?

Who gives a rodent's posterior?

What is the best affordable snowboard (brand)?

See answer #1 - if you are in the market for a board and can describe
yourself and how you ride then we're happy to help! If not, you will still
get a better response by telling us why you're asking!

-Mike T