I agree that Bill Mantlo had a few good ideas, (the permanent headquarters on Tamarind Island, Snowbird's baby); but I also think that he went on to destroy the team. Changing their personalities and/origins, and killing off established characters, was definitely not the way to go. I don't think the team has completely recovered to this day.

I would say that John Byrne's run was the best. And, although I didn't see Chris Claremont's name on the list, I'd like to add it. Chris Claremont did great things with Alpha in their earliest appearances: Uncanny X-Men #120, 121, 139, and 140; and the X-Men/Alpha Flight limited series, (AKA "The Gift"). In fact, I think Chris Claremont deserves some credit for Alpha Flight's successful introduction into the Marvel Universe.